as in special
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in more
to a greater or higher extent
he knows property law better than anyone else
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in advantage
the more favorable condition or position in a competition
she got the better of her opponents very early in the race
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to exceed
to be greater, better, or stronger than
this year's profits should better last year's by a wide margin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to improve
to make better
social workers and reformers trying to better the lives of inner-city residents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of better
Adam Shaw, Fox News, 8 Feb. 2023
The White House, ahead of the speech, paired police reform with bringing down violence, suggesting that giving police better training tools could lead to less crime nationwide.
—Zeke Miller and, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Feb. 2023
Sammy Rothstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2023
Last year, the office held listening sessions in Grove Hall, Roxbury, Mattapan, and Jamaica Plain to better understand the needs of women and gender-expansive individuals.
—Tiana Woodard, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Feb. 2023
Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Feb. 2026
In addition, the FBI said Damon Jones, a former player and assistant coach for the Lakers, shared inside information about the health of LeBron James with betters back in 2023.
—Lz Granderson, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
CBS News, 16 May 2026
Schwarber reached 20 homers on the earliest date in MLB history, according to Stats Perform, bettering Arizona's Luis Gonzalez, who hit his 20th on May 17, 2001.
—ABC News, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for better
Adjective
On Tuesday Biden touted increases in Border Patrol staffing and also increased fentanyl seizures at the border, which officials have said shows that apprehension is getting better.
—Adam Shaw, Fox News, 8 Feb. 2023
The White House, ahead of the speech, paired police reform with bringing down violence, suggesting that giving police better training tools could lead to less crime nationwide.
—Zeke Miller and, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Feb. 2023
Adverb
In related news, Emma Foehringer Merchant wrote a fascinating story for Undark about researchers creating a repository of birds and bats killed at solar and wind farms, to better understand why they’re getting killed and how to prevent it.
—Sammy Rothstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2023
Last year, the office held listening sessions in Grove Hall, Roxbury, Mattapan, and Jamaica Plain to better understand the needs of women and gender-expansive individuals.
—Tiana Woodard, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Feb. 2023
Noun
Here's what at-home betters should know.
—Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Feb. 2026
In addition, the FBI said Damon Jones, a former player and assistant coach for the Lakers, shared inside information about the health of LeBron James with betters back in 2023.
—Lz Granderson, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
Schwarber reached 20 homers on the earliest date in MLB history, according to Stats Perform, bettering Arizona's Luis Gonzalez, who hit his 20th on May 17, 2001.
—CBS News, 16 May 2026
Schwarber reached 20 homers on the earliest date in MLB history, according to Stats Perform, bettering Arizona's Luis Gonzalez, who hit his 20th on May 17, 2001.
—ABC News, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for better
Recent Examples of Synonyms for better
Adjective
-
In addition, the Urban Summit played a leading role in the special election to recall former Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr.—
Freddrell Green,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2026
-
Today he can be found dressed as Revere at the Paul Revere House or, on special occasions, reenacting the revolutionary’s famous midnight ride.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
Adverb
-
The look is brighter and more elegant, but noted chef Fulvio Pierangelini’s fresh, modern Tuscan cuisine—which showcases the local seasonal bounty— is as good as ever.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
The first batches of votes include the earliest voters, who tend to be more decisive and engaged than the general public.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
With the North Koreans and the Chinese military bearing down on Incheon in 1951, Casillas was ordered by his superiors to destroy all vital structures in Incheon to keep the infrastructure from falling into enemy hands.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2026
-
Abts sent an email to his superiors, and a human resources supervisor, about Husband’s disturbing, uncharacteristic behavior.—
Dan Eaton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
While visiting Shoshone, take advantage of scenic drives to some of the surrounding sites.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
But the 34-year-old right-hander couldn’t hold Kansas City’s slim advantage for the entirety of his outing.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The president has exceeded – by three and a half years – the average lifespan for an American man.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
-
If ridership exceeds capacity, officials say backup shuttle service will be available between Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
But Intel still faces major challenges, particularly in its chip-manufacturing foundry business, which has struggled to add more clients and improve production quality, analysts said.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
-
By shrinking the motor footprint, manufacturers can free up valuable chassis space, improve overall packaging efficiency, and potentially enhance vehicle performance and range through better system integration.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
Where on one hand, the likes of Stark have enjoyed exceptional sales numbers, LiveWire has been struggling quite a bit.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 03,
New Atlas,
3 June 2026
-
Things do not go down without a hitch, despite Hollis’s exceptional menu planning and hosting abilities.—
Alessandra Codinha,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The union has argued that the language — coupled with an arbitration provision — will limit the use of AI replicas to a handful of edge cases.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
5 June 2026
-
As the resort’s premium hotel-within-a-hotel experience, Hōkūpa‘a Tower guests will not only find larger indoor and outdoor room layouts, but will also gain access to The Lānai, a private lounge-style space with complimentary food and drinks, a private bar, and infinity-edge cocktail pools.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Better.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/better. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
